By Jerram Watts
The Wellington man who tackled an American cyclist off his bike and punched him in the face in a fit of road rage has pleaded guilty to common assault.
Jamie Curtis Pene, 39, of Newtown appeared in the Wellington District Court this morning, charged with assaulting Russell Roca - a tourist from Oregon who is cycling around New Zealand with his partner.
Mr Roca and his partner Laura Crawford were cycling on Riddiford Street in Newtown, when Mr Pene swerved passed them, narrowly missing the cyclists.
Police prosecutor Blair Piper says Pene then pulled over, tackled Mr Roca off his bike and punched him in the face before driving off.
Mr Roca suffered a sore shoulder and bleeding lip but required no medical attention.
Judge David McKegg remanded Pene on bail until March 9 for a pre-sentence report.
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